Obama, McMahon get some face time to discuss city issues

For 20 to 30 minutes Monday, Mayor Tom McMahon had the ear of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and used it to tell the presidential candidate about issues affecting cities such as Reading and their residents.

McMahon, who last week was named to Obama’s leadership council, said he met Obama for the first time as Obama got off the bus in Lancaster, the first stop on day four of a six-day bus tour across the state.

With McMahon were Lancaster Mayor J. Richard Gray and York Mayor John S. Brenner.

“We told him the three of us form a metropolitan area the size of Pittsburgh,” McMahon said. “We’re the only three that have come out in full support.”

McMahon said later he met up with Obama’s bus in Lititz, where Obama toured the Wilbur Chocolate factory.

When the tour was over, McMahon joined the Democratic presidential candidate on his bus.

“He and I spoke for 20 minutes to a half hour,” McMahon said. “It was great. We talked a lot about urban issues — education, the need for support for infrastructure, what cities are faced with.

“We talked about how we’re cooperating on issues, such as the Route 222 anti-gang task initiative.”

Other topics included the city’s literacy program, energy independence, the war in Iraq and Social Security, McMahon said..

“He’s a very easy conversationalist,” he said. “He listens.

“He had to take several calls and did several interviews while we were on the bus.”

In Lancaster, people asked Obama why he didn’t wait until he had more experience to run for president.

“He said, ‘When you’re looking at a possibility of another eight years going on with business as usual, we can’t wait,’” McMahon said.

McMahon said he told Obama that he appreciates Obama’s ability to energize young people, get them involved in the campaign and get them registered to vote.

The next step is to make sure they actually vote, he said.

“He’s got a great team of people,” McMahon said. “He’s obviously a really bright guy. He’s got a good command of the issues.